SILSDEN'S squad remains positive despite a run of stop-start fixtures, according to player-manager Danny Forrest.

The Cobbydalers' clashes have fallen victim to waterlogged or frozen pitches over recent weeks, with their last game a 3-1 victory at Bottesford Town on December 7 - which was their first game in three weeks following two postponements over successive Saturdays.

Silsden, who have played 16 league games so far this season, now travel to face Thackley in a local derby on Saturday, weather permitting. They will then be on the road again on Saturday, December 28 when they play Hemsworth Miners Welfare.

Silsden's fixtures backlog has already resulted in a busy spell next month with three games in seven days from January 11 against Barton Town, Handsworth and Garforth Town respectively.

Forrest admitted he is annoyed at his side's lack of game-time over recent weeks, but says they have still prepared thoroughly despite the call-offs.

He said: "It's very frustrating. We've lost momentum, as we've done really well recently.

"But it has been made easier by the lads' attitude, willingness and commitment. The way they have applied themselves has been absolutely brilliant. They are desperate to play football on a Saturday.

"There is a positive sort of vibe and we are doing what we can to be ready for games.

"Between myself and my coaching staff, we are not fans of missing training. Every Saturday we have been off we have trained.

"We expect a lot of the lads. We have got lads who are fully committed.

"We will have a bit of a break over Christmas, but we've still got two more games this month.

"We will have more games from the middle of January onwards. It's just one of those things.

"We've just got to keep on going. The lads are still bright and still happy. We will do the best we can.

"We've got to keep our standards nice and high. The games will be coming thick and fast for us."

Forrest also expects a tough task ahead when his Silsden side go to Thackley this weekend.

He says the two sides are evenly matched and he hopes his men can avenge a 2-1 home defeat against the Dennyboys on August 20, where striker Aidan Kirby grabbed Silsden's consolation.

There is only one place and goal difference of just one between the two sides, with Silsden shading it in 11th place but Thackley have a game in hand on them.

Thackley will be equally as rested for Saturday's clash as their game last weekend at Liversedge was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Thackley last played on December 7 when they grabbed a 1-1 draw against Yorkshire Amateur.

Former Bradford City ace Forrest added: "I think we are one place above them in the table.

"The last time we played them we did not do ourselves justice. They are a team I know well. It's an interesting game, a good one for us.

"I want us to go there and give a better account of ourselves than the last time we played them. That was not a true reflection of our team. The standards and expectations are high.

"The lads are doing well on the training ground, but we are not naive enough to think that it will keep going, we've just got to keep on it.

"We will deal with everything that happens and we're just happy to give it a go."